Saddle construction



- Oct. 27, 1942. R, w FAULHAQER 2,300,379.

SADDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 27. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l BY fm ot.27, 1942. R, w FAULHABER 2,300,379

SADDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 27, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY fr? 4 f .a/f

Patented Oct. 27, 1942 FFECE SADDLE CONSTRUCTION Roland W. Faulhaber, Monroeville, Ohio, assigner to The Faulhaber Company, Monroeville, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 27, `194:1, Serial No. 376,139

(Cl. 15E-5.23)

13 Claims.

rThis invention relates to saddles for bicycles, velocipedes, and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to house and conceal the reach and spring supporting mechanism and the connections between the reach and springs in a saddle of this type, so as to make the saddle safer and improve the appearance. Otherobjects are to provide an improved means for securing a flexible covering Inaterial and cushion to the seat base of a cycle saddle; to improve the appearance and enhance the safety of the saddle, while simplifying and reducing the cost of the spring supporting mechanism for the saddle; and to house and conceal the supporting mechanism of the saddle by a cover plate carried by the seat without interfering with the freedom of action of the spring suspension mechanism or with the adjustment of a saddle post. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a saddle constructed in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the saddle shown in Figure l,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through a slightly modied form of saddle,

Figure fi is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line I--fi of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on th line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the saddle shown in Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 9 2? of Figure 7, n

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the reach embodied in the saddle shown in Figure 7,

Figure l1 is a detail elevation of the saddle post and clamp for the saddle shown in Figure 7, and

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail sectionalv view taken on the line I2-I2 of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, the saddle illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 includes a seat, reach and supporting springs of the general type illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 254,664, led February 4, 1939, which became Patent No. 2,279,817 on April 14, 1942. The seat includes a sheet metal base member I0 formed to shape and provided with a depending periphrelatively wide rear portion and a relatively narrow nose portion, as is customary. The depending flange II is iiared outwardly and rearwardly around the rear portion of the seat to give the saddle a streamlined appearance, as illustrated in my said copending application.

A reach I2 is suitably connected to the nose portion of the base member Il), as by a pivotal connection illustrated at I3. At the rear end the reach carries a cross member I4, on the opposite ends of which are supported coil springs I5. The upper ends of the coil springs are connected to the base member I0 by connecting pieces I6 shown secured to the base member I0. In the embodiment illustrated a saddle post lI is riveted or otherwise permanently secured to the reach member I2.

A cushion It, which may be of sponge rubber or any suitable cushioning material, is supported on the upper side of the base member I0. A flexible covering sheet I 9 of imitation leather or other suitable material vis disposed over the cushion I8 and is extended down around the flange II and turned in about the lower edge of the flange.

4A bottom coverplate 2l) is arranged to conceal and prevent contact with the reach and spring mechanism and the connections between the same and the seat base. The bottom cover plate 2li isprovided with an upstanding peripheral flange 2l shaped to conform with and to t within the depending flange I I of the base member I I), with the inturned edge of the flexible covering material I9 gripped between thevanges II and 2| around the entire edge of the flange II. lThe cover plate 20 is also formed with an aperture 22 through which the saddle post vI'l extends, the aperture 22 being formed of such size and shape as to permit the lateral and fore and aft movements of the saddle post which occur as a result of the compression of the springs l5 in transmitting loads from the seat to the saddle post.

The bottom cover plate 20 may be secured to theseat in any suitable manner. The novel se`- curing means illustrated in the drawings is preferred for its simplicity, cheapness and ease of assembly. As shown the flange 2I of the cover plate 2li is provided with an extension at the nose portion of the saddle which is turned outwardly, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, to form an abutting shoulder 23. Similarly the flange II of the seat base I0 is formed with an extension turned inwardly to form an abutting shoulder 24 mating with the shoulder 23. 'Ihe circumferential extent of these shoulders may be short as illustrated in eral flange 11. The base is shaped to provide a v Figure 5, the edges of the flanges and 2| being simply left in their raw condition throughout the remainder of their circumferences. After the seat has had the cushion I8 and the flexible cover I9 assembled over it, and the springs I5 and reach I2 secured in position on its lower side, the free edge of the covering material I9 is turned inwardly over the flange II. The bottom cover plate is then slipped over the seat post I1 and the flange 2l of the cover plate is forced into the flange Il, gripping the inturned edge of the covering material and pulling it tight about the entire periphery of the base member I0. The flanges Il and 2l yield suiciently to permit the mating shoulders 23 and 24 at the nose portion to be forced past each other into interlocking relationship as illustrated in Figure 6.

After the bottom cover member 20 has been pressed into position it is additionally secured at one or more points at the rear portion of the saddle. As illustrated this may be effected by spot welding a nut 25 to the inner surface of the flange 2l and threading a bolt 26, carrying an ornament 21, through aligned holes in the flanges II and 2| into the nut 25. Openings are also provided in the flexible covering material I9 to permit the passage of the bolt 26. The base III and bottom cover 20 are thus secured together at two points; one at the abutments 23 and 2li at the front end of the saddle, and the other, by the bolt 26, at the rear end of the saddle. The flange 2| between these points is formed to lit closely within the flange II of the seat base IIJ and to extend into snug engagement with the inwardly curved shoulder portions 28 at the sides of the seat base ID as illustrated in Figure 4. Thus pivoting or rocking of the seat base I0 and the cover member 20 with respect to each other about their two points of connection is prevented by the wedging of the flange 2 ll into the inwardly curved shoulders 28/ on both sides of the seat.-

A slightly modi-lied construction is illustrated in Figure 3 inwhich is shown a somewhat differently shaped seat base 30 and a different type of reach and supporting spring construction. As shown in Figure 3` the reach 32 is of the type illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 185,940, led January 20, 1938, embodying two parallel lengths of strap iron between which is clamped a. serrated eye 36' of a saddle post 31 by means of a bolt 38. The forward end of the reach may be connected to the seat by a nose coil or the like 33. The rear end of the reach is extended laterally to form spring supports 34 on which are mounted a pair of coil springs 35- having their upper ends riveted or otherwisey suitably secured to the seat base 30. The bottom cover member Ml is secured in position and acts to clamp the flexible covering of the seat in the same manner as described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. The bottom cover member is provided with an aperture 42 of a;V size and shape to permit access to the bolt 38 for adjusting the saddle post 31 and to permit the necessary working of the saddle post 31 in any adjusted position without contact with the cover member 40.

A somewhat different embodiment of this invention is illustrated in Figures 7-12, inclusive. As shown in Figure 1 the saddle includes a drawn sheet metal base member 50 on which is positioned a cushion 5I covered by a sheet of flexible covering material 52. A reach 53, which as illustrated comprises a single sheet metal stamping, is formed at its rear end with laterally extending platforms 54 supporting spaced coil springs '55. Desirably the platforms 54 may be provided with flanges 53 defining the spring seats and the bottom convolutions of the spring 55 may be secured to the platforms 54 in any suitable manner. The upper ends of the springs 55 may likewise be connected to the underside of the base 50 in any suitable manner as by plates 51.

The forward end of the reach 53 is likewise provided with laterally projecting spring platforms 58 which may be formed in the same manner as the platforms 54 to support spaced coil springs 59. The upper ends of the springs are likewise secured to the base member `5I) in any desired manner as by rivets 60.

The intermediate portion of the reach comprises downwardly extending substantially parallel wings 6I. As shown the reach is stamped from a single flat sheet of metal from which the wings 6I are bent downwardly but it will be understood that the reach may also be formed of separate members connected to the spring supports in any suitable Way. In this embodiment a clamp 62 is provided to connect the reach to a saddle post `63 having its upper end 64 disposed substantially horizontally. The clamp 62 comprises a single piece of sheet metal bent to form a partially closed tubular portion 35 proportioned to nt around and grip the end B4 of the saddle post, and downwardly extending side pieces 66 arrange to t between the wing members 6I of the reach. Cooperating serrations 68 are formed on the outer surfaces of the side members 66 of the lclamp and on the inner surfaces of the wings 6I of the reach, and these members are provided with aligned apertures to receive a clamping bolt 61. With the horizontal arm 64 of the saddle positioned in the tubular portion 65 of the clamp the bolt 61 may be drawn up to firmly grip the saddle post in the tubular portion 65 and to press the wings BI tightly against the side member B6 so that the. serrations B8 hold the` clamp rmly against turning in any desired position.

A bottom cover plate 10 is drawn from a single piece of sheet metal and is arranged to fit over and conceal the reach and spring mechanism and to secure the covering material 52 to the base 50. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 12 the bottom cover plate 10 is formed with an outwardnr and downwardly turned flange 1I extending around substantially the entire periphery of the cover 10 except around the forward end of the nose portion of the saddle where the flange is turned substantially horizontally as shown at 12 in Figures land 12. Around the nose portion the base member 5'0 is formed with a substantially horizontal inwardly projecting flange 13 and an inwardly extending projection 14 spaced aboveV the flange 13. The flange 13 and projection 14 extend only around the nose as shown in Figure 8 and desirably the remainder of the `peripheral edge of the b'ase member 50 is left unilanged.

As in the embodiments previously described the covering material 52 is stretched tightly over the cushion and base member 50 and has its free edgel turned in around the periphery of the base member 5U. After the springs and reach are assembled the cover 10 is pressed into position. The flange 1I of the cover 10A is shaped to fit' closely within the edge of the base member 50' so that it grips and clamps the freef edge of theV covering material 52 between the base 50 and the ange 5|. At the nose portion the horizontally turned flange kI2 of the cover Il) fits between the flange 'I3 and projection 14 on the base 5U with the free edge of the covering material interposed between the flange 12 and the base 50 as illustrated in Figure 12. In assembling the saddle it is apparent that the flange 'l2 may rst be slipped into position over the flange 13, after which the entire cover 1U may simply be pressed into the edge of the base member v5CH, clamping the flexible covering material 52 throughout its periphery. Any suitable means may be employed to additionally secure the cover member in position, such as oneor more bolts shown in Figures VrTand 8. Additional securing means may be employed if desired to prevent the possibility of the cover rocking about its longitudinal center line with'respect to the base, or the t of the side portions ofthe flange 'H in the edge of the base member 50 may bej relied upon to prevent such rocking as in the embodiments previously described.

The cover member 'I0 is provided with a slot 1S which is of sucient width and length to permit the wings 6| of the reach 53 to pass therethrough when the saddle is being assembled and to permit the removal and adjustment of the saddle post 63. The cover is preferably formed as shown in Figure 7 so that the lower portions of the wings 6| and the clamping bolt 61 are disposed outside of the cover 'l0 while the major portion of the reach and the springs are housed between the cover and base member 5t.

In this embodiment of my invention the base 50 is supported from the reach by four springs 55 and 59 which provide a much better cushioning action against shocks in all directions than the customary spring arrangement for saddles. This arrangement of springs, which would be unsightly and dangerous to the user if exposedj may be employed because the spring mechanism is housed Vand concealed by the cover member IIJ. In Figures 7 and 8 I have also illustrated the cover 10 as formed with streamlined flutes or steps TI to illustrate how the bottom cover member may be utilized to ornament and improve the appearance of the saddle.

The bottom cover members 2B, l, and 1E may be shaped and colored to harmonize with the main portion of the seat, and function not only to tighten and secure the flexible covering material' in place over the seat base, but also to conceal and prevent contact with the seat supporting mechanism. Thus relatively rough, un-

finished parts may be employed for the reach i these elements. 'The bottom cover member may i be spaced below the reach only a sufficient distance to avoid contact between the reach and the bottom cover member when the load is removed from the seat in normal use.

In the type of construction in which the saddle post is permanently fixed in position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the aperture 22 in the bottom cover member may be made relatively small and with a relatively close fit about the saddle post. In the type of saddle such as illustrated in Figure 3 in which anadjustableconnection is provided between the reach andthe lsaddle post it is only necessary to make 'thev aperture in the' bottom cover member enough larger to permit access to the adjusting means and to permit the movement of the saddle post in different directions in any adjusted position. In the type of saddle illustrated in' Figures 7 to 12 embodying a somewhat more complex adjustable connection it is preferred to project'the reach and the clamping bolt outside the cover member to facilitate the use of the adjustable connection. l

It will be understood that any desired design and arrangement of reach and spring suspension may be employed, and that the several features of the invention `-may be used independently as well as in combination. The terms spring and springs are used inthe claims, not to indicate the specific forms of springs illustrated but to comprehend all equivalent resilient means. Other modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim: Y e

1. A saddle for cycles comprising a seat, a post connected to ksaid seat for mounting the saddle on a cycle, the connections betweenv said seat and post including a spring to cushion the seat with respect to the cycle, and a bottom cover plate vsecured to said seat and depending therefrom, said cover plate housing and concealing the connections between said post andsaid seat, and said cover plate being formed with an opening through which said post extends, said opening being of suflicient size to permit unrestrained movement of said post during the cushioning action of said spring.

2. A saddle for cycles comprising a seat, a reach, means, including springs, connecting said reach to said seat, a post connected to said reach and extending downwardly therefrom for mounting the saddle on a cycle, and a bottom cover plate secured to said seat and extending below and around said springs and at least the major portion of said reach, said cover plate being formed with an opening through which said post extends and said cover plate and said seat deflexible cover being gripped betweensaid flanges,

and supporting springs for said saddle connected tosaid seat base and disposed between the same and said bottom cover plate. y

4. A saddle for cycles comprising asheet metal seat base having an outwardly curved depending peripheralv flange, a bottom cover plate spaced from said base and having an upwardly extending peripheral ange fitting within the depending flange of said base, means securing said bottom cover plate to said base at the front and at the rear of said base, the flange of said bottom cover extending upwardly along the side portions into close fitting relationship with the outwardly curved portions of the ange of said base so as 'to prevent relative movement of said base and said bottom cover about said 4securing means.

,5. Asaddle for cycles comprising asheetmetal seat base having a depending peripheral flange, a cover of flexible material K4disposed-over said base and turned in over said flange, a -bottom cover plate having an f'upwardly extending peripheral flange fitting within the depending flange of said base, the in-turned -edge'of said flexible cover being Vgripped between said flanges, and supporting springs for said saddle connected to said seat base and disposed between the same and said bottom cover plate, and ya -saddle post connected to said springs and extending through an opening formed in said cover plate.

-6. A saddle for cycles'comprising a sheet metal seat base having an outwardly curved depending peripheral flange, -a flexible covering over said base turned in around said flange, a bottom cover plate spaced from vsaid base and vhaving an upwardly extending peripheral flange fitting within the depending-ange of said base with the flexible covering gripped between said flanges, Y means securing lsaid bottom cover lplate to said base at the front and at the rear of vsaid base, the flange of said bottom cover extending upwardly along the side portions into close tting relationship with the outwardly curved `portions of the flange cf said base so as to prevent relativemovement of said base and said bottom cover about said securing means.

--7. `A saddle for cycles comprising a sheet metal seat base formed with a relatively narrow nose portion and a widened rear portion and a depending peripheral flange, said flange being flared outwardly and rearwardly around the widened rear portion, a bottom cover plate secured to said seat base and having its central portion spaced therebelow, said cover plate having an upwardly extending flange flared outwardlyand rearwardly around the rear portion of the seat and substantially matching the `ilange on said seat base.

8. A saddle for cycles comprising a sheet metal seat base rformed with `a relatively narrow nose portion and a widened rear portion and a depending peripheralV iiange, said flange being flared outwardly and rearwardly around the widened rear portion, a bottom cover platesecured -to said seat base andhaving its central portion spaced therebelow, said cover plate having an upwardly extending flange ilared outwardly and rearwardly around the rear portion of the seat and substantially matching the flange on.said seat base and spring supporting means .i

for said seat housed between said base and said cover plate and having a saddle post projecting out thru an aperture in said cover plate.

9. A saddle for cycles comprising a seat, a reach, springs mounted on said reach and connected to said seat, means extending downwardly from said reach for mounting the saddle on a cycle, and a bottom cover plate secured'to said seat and extending below and around said lsprings and said reach, said cover plate being formed with an opening thru which said Ameans extends and said cover plate and said seat defining a `substantially closed space housing said springs.

10. A saddle for 4cycles comprising a seat, a reach, means including springs connecting .said

vreach to said seat, said reachbeing formed with downwardly extending members cooperating with a clamp for securing said reach to a seat post and a bottom cover plate secured to said seat and extending below land around said springs and the major portion of said reach, said cover plate being formed with an opening thru which said downwardly extending members'of the reach extend and said cover plate and said seat Vdefining substantially a closed space housing said springs.

1.1. A saddle for cycles comprising a seat base, a reach, means including springs connecting said reach to said seat base, a saddle post, clamping 'means including a screw threaded member carried by said reach adapted to be manipulated to secure said reach to said saddle post or to release the same therefrom, `and a zcover -connected to and extending below ysaid seat base and around said springs and the major portion of said reach, said cover being formed with an opening through which a portion of said 'reach projects, said cover and base defining Va substantially closed space housing and concealing said springs, said screw threaded member being disposed outside of said space in the normal unloaded condition of said springs, said opening being of suiiicient size to permit movement of said screw threaded member 'into said space during the cushioning action of 'said springs.

12. A saddle for cycles comprising a seat base, a reach, means connecting said reach to Vsaid seat base including a plurality of coil springs positioned between said reach and saidse'at Abase with their axes disposed substantially vertically, at least one of said coil springs being connected to the rear Yend of said reach and at least one of said coil springs 'being connected to the forward end of said reach, anda cover secured to and extending below said seat base and around said springs and said reach, said cover and base defining a substantially closed space housing and concealing said springs and said cover being formed with Aan opening permitting said reach to be connected to a cycle.

13. A saddle for -cycles vcomprising a seat base, a reach, a plurality of coil springs positioned between said reach and said seat base with their axes disposed substantially vertically connecting said reach to said-seat base, at least one of said springs being .connected to the forward end of said reach and to said seat base, and a cover secured to and Yextending below said seat base and around said springs and said reach, said cover and base defining a 'substantially closed space housing and concealing said springs and said cover being formed with an opening permitting said reach to be connected to a cycle. ROLAND W. FAULHABER. 

